Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) requires good soil fertility. Brazil is characterized by acidic soils which reduce the potential of the crop. Generally, liming is incorporated into the soil, but in tillage systems it is inadvisable. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the lime application method and dose on pH, Al+3, V % and Ca+Mg in the soil and on dry matter yield of alfalfa cultivated under a consolidated no-tillage system. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of Parana Agronomic Institute, located in Pato Branco city, in Parana state. The plots consisted of the types of lime application (plowing+harrowing, subsoil and surface), the sub-plots was the lime dose (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Mg ha-1) and the sub-sub-plots were the sampled soil depth (0-5; 5-10; 10-20 and 20-30 cm). The results show the application of lime, even superficially, caused increases in pH, concentration of Ca and Mg and base saturation of the soil, while also reducing the concentration of Al, especially in the surface layers of the soil. The practice of plowing and harrowing or of subsoiling, with the aim of lime incorporation in a consolidated no-tillage system is unnecessary. If it is required, the application of lime to the soil should be done superficially for alfalfa cultivated in this system.
Highlights
Alfalfa is a perennial forage legume, and is considered the “queen of forages” due to its high nutritional value, good productivity and acceptability to animals
Brazil is characterized by acidic soils which reduce the potential of the crop
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the lime application method and dose on pH, Al+3, V % and Ca+Mg in the soil and on dry matter yield of alfalfa cultivated under a consolidated no-tillage system
Summary
Alfalfa is a perennial forage legume, and is considered the “queen of forages” due to its high nutritional value, good productivity and acceptability to animals. In Brazil 70% of the soils are acidic in character, which can lead to a reduction in the productive potential of the crop by around 40% (QUAGGIO, 2000). If the production potential of the alfalfa crop is to be maximized it is essential to correct the soil acidity through the practice of liming. Technical recommendations indicate that lime application should be incorporated; this conflicts with the recommendations for no-tillage, which discourage practices that promote the disturbance of the soil. A number of studies have indicated the success of surface lime application (without soil incorporation) in no-tillage systems, this topic is still under studied for crops that are highly demanding on pH, as is the case with alfalfa
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